People will live longer but with disease and bad health by 2050: Study

A recent study published in The Lancet predicts a global increase in life expectancy of nearly five years by 2050. This increase in life span can be attributed to advancements in healthcare, better living conditions, and progress in medical technology and public health initiatives. Efforts to combat diseases, improve nutrition, and provide wider access to healthcare services are also significant factors contributing to this increase. The rise in life expectancy reflects ongoing global efforts to enhance the quality and longevity of human life.

However a recent study published in The Lancet indicates that though people may live longer but the additional years lived may be accompanied by chronic diseases, disabilities, and other health issues — not necessarily with good health. The “health span”— i.e. the period of life spent in good health—may lag behind the increase in overall lifespan.

The findings emphasize the importance of not just extending life expectancy but also improving the quality of life during those additional years. Addressing factors such as lifestyle, access to healthcare, early diagnosis, and effective management of chronic conditions will be crucial in ensuring that the added years are healthy and productive.

According to the study, the life expectancy globally may increase by almost five years from 2022 to 2050. The increase in life expectancy in case of males will be 4.9 years – from 71.1 years to 76 years and 4.2 years – from 76.2 years to 80.5 years in case of females.  

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However, despite this increase in life expectancy, the study also points out that the additional years may not necessarily be spent in good health. This underscores the importance of focusing not only on extending life expectancy but also on improving the quality of life during those additional years, addressing issues such as chronic diseases, disabilities, and overall health and well-being.

The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study examined risk factors in 204 countries before predicting that the highest increase in life expectancy will be in countries where it is the lowest – thus reducing the gap in life expectancy.

This trend suggests that improvements in healthcare, nutrition, sanitation, and overall living conditions in low-life-expectancy regions are likely to contribute significantly to the global increase in life expectancy. Efforts to address communicable diseases, improve maternal and child health, and reduce poverty are among the key factors driving these positive changes. By focusing on these areas, it is possible to achieve more equitable health outcomes worldwide, ensuring that people in all regions can benefit from longer, healthier lives.

Significantly, the study observed that the “healthy life expectancy” is projected to increase from 64.8 years in 2022 to 67.4 years in 2050 — a 2.6-year increase. This accounts for nearly half of the expected increase in overall life expectancy.

This disparity highlights a critical public health challenge: while people are living longer, the proportion of life spent in good health is not increasing at the same rate. This indicates a need for enhanced efforts to improve health span, focusing on preventing and managing chronic diseases, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring access to quality healthcare. Addressing these issues will be essential to make sure that the additional years of life are not just longer but also healthier and more fulfilling.